By: Isatou Sarr
Brikama Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard the case of Sarjo Manjang, a Bissau-Guinean Quranic teacher from Rumba, who is accused of assaulting a seven-year-old student, Abubacarr A. Ceesay.
The accused faces charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, contrary to Section 196 of the Criminal Offences Act, 2025.
Manjang pleaded not guilty when the charges were read before Magistrate M. Dem. The prosecution called its first witness, the child’s father, Alagie H. Ceesay, who recounted the events leading to the assault allegation.
According to Ceesay, he had enrolled his son at a Quranic memorisation school in Rumba. Upon returning home, the child bore visible injuries. When questioned, the boy reportedly told his father that he had been beaten by his teacher. Ceesay said he immediately took his son, along with his wife, to the hospital for medical treatment. While receiving care, his wife visited the school to inquire about the injuries, receiving the same account from the child. The accused, however, denied the allegations. The matter was later reported to the Brikama Police Child Welfare Unit, where a formal statement was recorded.
During cross-examination, the accused questioned the father’s belief in his son’s account. Ceesay maintained that he trusted his child’s statement. Magistrate Dem instructed Manjang to await his turn to present his defence.
The prosecution applied to discharge the first witness and requested an adjournment to call the second witness. The court granted the applications and adjourned the matter to December 4, 2025, for further hearing.
Manjang was granted bail set at D25,000 with one Gambian surety, who must deposit an ID card or passport with the court.
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By: Isatou Sarr Brikama Magistrates’ Court yesterday heard the case of Sarjo Manjang, a Bissau-Guinean Quranic teacher from Rumba, who…
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